Technical Abstract:
Hibiscus laevis ‘LUFKIN WHITE’, a new hardy native ornamental hibiscus cultivar is recommended for trial by nurserymen and horticulturists as a summer flowering perennial landscape plant nationwide but is particularly adapted to conditions in the South. ‘LUFKIN WHITE’ was selected for its exceptional blushed white flowers and outstanding disease resistant foliage. The form and scale of the plant are ideally proportioned for inclusion as a component of perennial borders and gardens.
‘LUFKIN WHITE’ resulted from an open pollinated seed collected from an east Texas seed source seedling growing in a planting surrounded by several commercial rose mallow hibiscus selections. This selection retains the leaf texture and field resistance of the maternal parent to the complex of foliar diseases prevalent on most commercial rose mallow selections grown under humid conditions in states bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Flower quality and numbers as well as growth habit are much improved over the native species.